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considerably if Professor Turner were to do further research in Hong Kong. I have explained to the Governor that the Secretary of State's letter of 24 May 1976 to Mr Murray amounts to a clear commitment to let the TUC see what Professor Turner has so far produced and that we have no option but to do so. I suggest that the report should be sent to the TUC and CBI under cover of a letter from the OLA, the late Secretary of State had an engagement to meet the International Committee of the TUC on 25 February. The meeting has been postponed sine die but may be rescheduled to take place before the next meeting of the Overseas Labour Consultative Committee (OLCC) on 29 April at which the report will
be discussed.
A Further Study?
8. Professor Turner's report suggests that, as indicated in paragraph 3 above, there are matters which could usefully be looked into in more detail. Professor Turner himself, who called on the department on 18 January, has clearly become interested in the subject and would probably be ready to undertake another official assignment. The Governor of Hong Kong has told me that he is interested in a more comprehensive study being undertaken and would like Professor Turner to be re-engaged. The views of the TUC (and the CBI) will be sought at the meeting of the OLCC but it is likely that they too would favour a continuation of the study, particularly if it were to explore further the need for minimum wages legislation. I also think that there is a good case for an extension of
Professor Turner's study.
Financing
9. The ODM reluctantly agreed to finance Professor Turner's study Flag G up to the point that it has now reached. (I attach copies of
Lord Goronwy-Roberts' correspondence with ODM Ministers in the spring of last year.) I am sounding out the ODM about the
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possibility of their making funds available to finance a continuation of the study. We may need to enlist the support of Ministers if
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